set design

Les Misérables is a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination in the production design category. The film, based on the musical and novel by Victor Hugo, takes place in 1800's Paris and is notable for the development of its characters and scenes depicting revolution-era France. With production designer Eve Stewart behind the wheel (she also worked on The King's Speech) there's no shortage of breathtaking backdrops and colors that make the film just as much about design as about love and war. Here, see how you can get the look yourself, minus the suffering.

Set in 19th-century Russia, this modern adaption of Anna Karenina tells the story of a love affair between a beautiful aristocrat and a wealthy count. Aside from the plot's romantic allure, the movie also offers plenty of eye candy with unforgettable costume and set design. While some of us have fantasized about living in an era where ball gowns and horse-drawn carriages are commonplace, it's sometimes tricky to blend old-world elegance with a contemporary lifestyle. Keep reading to see our picks for modern version of Anna Karenina-inspired interiors.

Source: Focus Features

Smash is baaaaaaack! Last night was the premiere of season two, and it did not disappoint. There are plenty of new characters (goodbye, scheming Ellis; hello, Jennifer Hudson!), new musical numbers, and, of course, lots and lots of drama. Another new addition is set designer Kalina Ivanov. She joined the behind-the-scenes cast to create a slew of new sets including a restaurant hangout, two apartments, and one very glamorous dressing room. The spaces are a perfect foil for the escalating tension between Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) as well as producer Eileen's (Anjelica Huston) continued fight to get their nascent show to Broadway. From the looks of it, they are going to be joined by tons of amazing guest stars this season (Sean Hayes, Jessie L. Martin, and . . . Liza Minnelli?!) and enough intrigue and fighting to keep everyone busy for a while.

We sat down with set designer Kalina to get the backstory and inspiration for a few of her sets this season. Read on to find out more about Kalina's process and how she gets the look!

— Additional reporting by Emily Bibb

A new Halloween favorite, Tim Burton's Dark Shadows takes inspiration from the gothic soap opera of the same name that ran in the '60s and '70s. Aside from being filled with Tim Burton's signature kookiness, the movie also delivers some truly wild set design — much of which we're tempted to re-create. Take a look at some of our favorite moments from the film's spooky set, and learn how you can adapt it to fit your style. You may be surprised by how well this look could work for your home!

All film photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

This month we're looking to some of our favorite classic Summer flicks for seasonal decorating inspiration. One of our very favorites is 2009's (500) Days of Summer, starring Zooey Deschanel as a girl who doesn't believe in true love and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the guy who falls head over heels for her. See how you can steal the look and feel of the film for your own perfect Summer entertaining and decorating romance.

Photos courtesy Fox Searchlight

Just six short months ago, the Alfred F. Rosenheim Mansion, better known as the house used as the setting for the FX series American Horror Story, was listed at $17 million. The circa-1908 mansion is now back on the market for nearly $10 million less, at just $7.8 million. The Tudor-style home, located at 1120 Westchester Place in Los Angeles, is absolutely stunning, with three stories featuring rooms including a grand ballroom (currently used as a recording studio), light fixtures, stained-glass windows, and leaded glass display cases from Tiffany, wood paneling throughout, beamed ceilings, six original tile fireplaces, gold and silver leaf hand-painted ceilings, and a large solarium.

Keep reading to see the home, and make sure to also check out these photos from the set of American Horror Story.

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Opening today, Snow White and the Huntsman offers a deliciously dark and empowering version of the classic fairy tale. We're excited to see the film ourselves, but in the meantime we're dreaming up movie-inspired decor based on the film's look. See how we interpret Snow White's shield, Ravenna's frocks, and the huntsman's weapons in this slideshow.

Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures

On last night's episode of Mad Men, we got to peek at Trudy and Pete Campbell's home in Cos Cob, CT. The cosmopolitan couple moved from Manhattan to the "country," as they call it, anticipating the birth of their daughter Tammy. The house is a far cry from Don and Megan Draper's hip high-rise pad and has a similar look to Don and ex-wife Betty's own suburban home — which is to say, it seems a little behind the times. Take a peek at the decor and then let us know what you think of their home.

Photos courtesy of AMC